The London, UK-based mega star played to a sold-out
crowd at 181 Readable Boulevard, located at Toronto’s West end. Music
adherents from all walks of life packed the suburban Etobicoke arena to
full capacity to witness their beloved star perform in the colorful
event on July 1st that attracted thousands of revelers from across the
Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and throughout Southern Ontario.
 Beauty, glamour and elegance are colourful attributes that define Nimco Dareen's talent-laden career. |
The stunningly beautiful, incredibly talented artist has emerged as the
topmost Somali singer on the world stage releasing multiple CDs in an
illustrious career that has taken her on a globe-trotting tour spanning
all the continents of the world.
Although she hails from the Somali region of Ethiopia (DDSI), the Queen
of Daanto (a popular Somali dance music) has captured the hearts of
millions of Somalis throughout the Somali Peninsula and across the
Diaspora.
Her immense success on the musical scene has elevated her
status to that of a national icon in the culturally-rich Somali
community she hails form.
The charismatic artist is set to make inroads in the wider global
musical landscape with other diverse audiences around the world taking
keen interest in her music. In a past interview with a US-based TV in
Minneapolis, the girl with the golden voice stated that one of her
ultimate objectives is to take Somali beats to the pinnacle of world
music.
Although Somali tunes are highly intoxicating, its artists have
not ventured into the world arena. Nimco Dareen is determined to change
that and after an extremely successful spell in her career, she
acknowledges the time has arrived to go global.
Known for her pulsating and often electrifying music, Nimco Dareen
represents a generation of young artists of Somali descent raised in the
Diaspora, doling out a fusion of rhymes that is captivating audiences.
She makes scintillating music that is entertaining to the core with
daanto moves that mesmerize enthusiastic crowds whenever she is on
stage.
In an exclusive interview with the Digital Journal’s Farid Omar, the
Queen of Daanto recounted her dramatic entry into the music world and
shed light on the challenges facing the Somali music industry and its
future prospects. She also outlined her bold plans to venture into the
world music stage.
The celebrated artist expressed utmost satisfaction with her Canadian
tour saying she has been overwhelmed by the enormous hospitality in
Toronto and the massive show of love and support she has received from
her adoring fans. In return, she promised to put on a special display
for her Toronto fans on Somalia-cum-Canada Day. She did not disappoint
as she delivered a world class act that sent her reveling fans into
ruptures. Apart from stage engagements, her stint in Canada included a
downtown Toronto shooting of a new daanto video to be released shortly.
Nimco Dareen took the recording industry by storm when she started
performing professionally in 1996 in Finland at the tender age of
sixteen. Growing up in the Nordic country, she started singing in School
in Finnish and upon learning her native language, she switched to
Somali and her songs instantly became world hits.
Cultural
ambassador of the highest order: The stunningly beautiful Nimco Dareen
showcasing traditional Somali attire, beads and gourd.
Having attained Somali artistic success at the highest level, she is now
ready to embrace the international scene. Her initial inroads into the
global arena will come in the form of a multi-language production geared
for a world audience.
“My new upcoming album would be a multi-lingual one,
 The face of world fashion: Nimco Dareen combining contemporary global designs with Middle Eastern and East African trends. |
containing tracks
in the Somali, Amharic and Oromo languages. Gracing the international
scene does not require a specific language or genre because music is
universal and music lovers need not understand the language of the
beats. They listen to any beautiful music as long as it is moving,
entertaining and dynamic in nature” said Nimco Dareen.
Due to complexities associated with the world music stage, the renowned
artist says she is aware that venturing into this arena would require
adjustments content-wise, and at the promotional and marketing levels.
“I know that my anticipated entry into the world stage would entail
drastic changes in the way I manage my music. For example, I would be
expected to work with international musical entities and personalities
including non-Somali labels, producers and distributers and I have no
issues with that. To appeal to a world audience, my music would have to
undergo some transformation but I would still retain strong Somali
elements in it. I am open to explore some intricate world fusions that
combine Somali tunes with R&B, reggae, hip hop and Latino beats”
observed the charismatic Queen of Daanto.
In terms of duets with international superstars, the young diva has
shown preference in collaborating with high profile American megastars
and a Canuck who is a Canadian household name.
“I would like to do collabos with international artists like Lauryn Hill, Toni Braxton and Celine Dion” she said.
Looking back at her world travels, Nimco Dareen says globe trotting is a major factor that truly defines her recording career.
“It is wonderful to travel around the world to link up with my fans that
are spread out across the continents.
The only major place I had never
been to is China but I hope to hit the Chinese performing stage one day”
she said.
As an accomplished cultural ambassador, Nimco Dareen highlighted the
challenges facing the Somali music industry. She listed major hindrances
that include lack of exposure in the global market, copyright
infringement, localized marketing and lax security details during live
performances.
“Despite the fact that Somali music is beautiful, our artists could not
break into the world stage.
Navigating the global music market is a
complex matter that requires national resources and functional
government institutions. In the Somali case, the collapse of central
government meant artists had to fend for themselves with minimal
resources. Lack of state institutions and resources has seriously
inhibited their progress and as a result, the Somali cultural industries
have suffered. But I maintain the optimistic hope that one day, we
would see Somali artists plying their trade in the international arena”
noted Nimco Dareen.
The highly acclaimed recording artist also pointed out another key
problem, the unchecked copyright infringement where Somali intellectual
property rights, particularly those in the arts industry are pirated
with impunity.
“Artists rely on their musical talent to make a living and it is
unfortunate that Somali performing artists are not protected by any
copyright laws. The absence of functional state institutions in Somalia
that can regulate the music industry is a major factor contributing to
copyright infringement. We need to find viable solutions on copyright
matters. Artists should make a decent living through the sale of
copyrighted material rather than relying entirely on concerts to
survive” stated the recording artist.
On marketing, she decried the fact that Somali music has done virtually
nothing to penetrate the mainstream market. Breaking into the mainstream
market presents numerous opportunities both for the artists’ bottom
line and the ability to showcase Somali arts and culture to a world
audience.
“Sadly enough, there is a huge gap when it comes to marketing because
our music is primarily catered for the Somali audience. In the world of
Somali music, artistic production tightly remains within the confines of
the community. We must strive to curve out a niche within the
mainstream market so that our CDs can hit the shelves in major chains
and stores that sell records. We need to go beyond the Somali market,
which is limited and offers minimal returns. It is important that we
find a foothold in the more lucrative mainstream market, which can
equally serve as a platform to showcase our music globally” she said.
A major dilemma facing the Somali music industry is the overtly lax
security details during live concerts. Recalling a serious security
breach during a past concert in Nairobi, Kenya, Nimco Dareen says there
is need to institute a complete overhaul of security arrangements to
guarantee the safety of artists.
“In our concerts, the artists are exposed to scary situations because
stage perimeters are not adequately secured during events. I abhor the
fact that some individuals would jump on stage, grab and touch the
artists. In chaotic scenes like these, the breakdown of stage security
can have serious consequences for the artists. During a massive gig in
Nairobi, I was violently attacked on stage by an insane individual. I
learned my lesson the hard way and that’s why I have taken steps to
ensure a proper enforcement of stage security during my gigs” recounted
Nimco Dareen who luckily escaped with minor injuries during the Nairobi
attack.
Despite the Nairobi scare, the prominent artist says she would not be
deterred by disruptive individuals saying that she looks forward to
staging future performances in Kenya.
“I would definitely return to
 Nimco Dareen at a concert. |
Nairobi for future gigs. Deranged
individuals will not discourage me from reconnecting with my fans there,
where I have a huge support base. An estimated seven thousand people
attended my Nairobi concert. My fans in the Kenyan capital showed me
lots of love and support and I will never abandon them. In fact I look
forward to rewarding them further with more concerts in future” Said
Nimco Dareen.
Beyond the musical realm, the supremely talented singer, well-known for
her high intellect, charm and professionalism, has a deep passion for
doing humanitarian work.
“I am now enrolled in a London, UK school studying social work. I want
to utilize my skills and resources to save the children of the world.
There is a lot of human suffering in Somalia and beyond and I want to do
something about it” she said.
Sometimes in the past, she spent a lengthy time on the ground setting up base with rural folks.
“Having grown up in big cities, I wanted to experience the typical day
to day hardships of impoverished communities in rural areas. In
Ethiopia, I spent eight long months in a remote community deep inside
the wilderness living with rural families. Since I wanted to get a first
hand feeling of what they go through, I slept every night on the ground
under a tree with to mattress or bedding. I got sick on the first day
but I then felt OK on the second day and onwards. I wanted to show them
love and wanted to let them know I cared for their welfare’ said the
caring megastar.
“Every morning, I consumed camel milk which became my morning juice. I
believe in the equality of all humans regardless of their socio-economic
status and that’s why I had to immerse myself totally in lives of the
poor rural community letting them know that regardless of their
conditions, I am no superior to them but completely equal to them”
explained the Queen of Daanto.
Apart from performing roles, Nimco Dareen also plans to try her hands in the business side of the recording industry.
“I plan to get into producing and directing as well as acting, which I
am very good at. Film production is another area I would like to pursue.
In Europe, I did a film that is yet to be released” she said.
The Queen of Daanto is famously known for her elegance and knack for both Somali and contemporary world fashion.
“I have a passion for fashion and I love to showcase our culture and
traditions through the interplay of music and fashion. When I am
performing mainstream Somali music, I generally tilt toward all types of
fashion. As everyone knows, the daanto is typically a traditional
Somali folk dance and so when I am into this genre, I exclusively
showcase Somali traditional attire which I love doing so much”
International
superstar and Queen of Daanto, Nimco Dareen, performing at a sold out
Toronto concert during the July 1st Somalia/Canada Day festivities.
Anchor Hassan “Karate” of Ogaal Radio, 88.9FM heaped praise on the
Queen of Daanto saying she has an angelic heart and a profound love for
her people which makes her an exceptional artist.
“She has a very humble heart, is very social and likeable and extremely
approachable. Every song she releases becomes a number one hit topping
the charts. She stands for all Somalis regardless of their regional or
communal affiliations. She is very popular and all Somalis love her
songs. She is a true Somali icon. Her songs are well listened to in
Ethiopia, especially in the DDSI region and throughout the world” said
Hassan “Karate.”
The popular anchor notes that Nimco Dareen has made substantial contributions to other aspects of societal life.
“She is a well known advocate for peace who has actively promoted
peace-related initiatives. Humanitarianism is part of her life and she
has done a lot helping orphans and the poor. Her coming to Canada is
long overdue but we are glad that she has finally landed in the great
north. Ogaal Radio has provided extensive airtime for her best selling
songs and we would keep airing her music that is a real source of
inspiration for everyone and particularly the younger generation.”
For young and upcoming artists, Nimco Dareen has a powerful, inspiring message.
“In the pursuit of your dreams, keep it real, be yourself and maintain
focus on education. For those who have other occupations, I think they
should concurrently advance their careers alongside music. There is more
to life than music and therefore, it is crucial for young people to
keep their options open.” concluded Nimco Dareen.
Canadian fans will retain fond memories of her colorful Toronto event
and they can certainly look ahead to future gigs. The Queen of Daanto
has promised to return probably for an Eid Day event as well as a New
Year concert. Her Canadian fans can’t have enough of their beloved
superstar and it appears that the famed megastar will keep Canada in her
itinerary in future tour dates. The sky is the limit for the dazzling
star who undoubtedly is on a mission to take Somali music to uncharted
territory.